Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-18
ENRICHlNG THE SOIL.
Benefits to Ro Derived from the Flowing
Under OF Crops


Under OF Crops
There are several crops that can be
plowod under to a good advantage in
building up the fertility Of the farm.
and as 1t is not always possible to SC.
cure a sufficient supply Of stable ma
nure, 1t is often the best plan Of en-
riching the soil.
But II Is very necessary TO plan the
farm work so that at the proper time
the crop can be turned under. II will
make "a considerable difference in the
effect upon the soil and the time ra.
quired TO properly incorporate with
the soil After the plant has made a
mature growth, which begins general
ly when the seeds have formed and
begin to harden, the larger per cent. OF
the plant has turned or Is turning Ia
woody fiber, which, when turned
under will require considerable
longer time to rot than IL the plowinc
had been done earlier. II Is one essen
tial IN deriving the quickest benefit
from an application Of fertilizing ma
terial that it should be thoroughly
mixed with the soil. Green manure.
or rather crops grown with the intcn-
tion Of plowing under as green ma-
nure, must be turned under at stage
when 1t is reasonably sure to rot in n
short time. and be in condition so
that by cultiyating or plowing, it will
become thoroughly incorporated with
the soil and also contain the largest
amount Of plant food.
This with the majority of plants Is
when the pants have made their
growth. With clover and buckwheat,
II Is when the majority Of the plants
are in full bloom. With rye and corn,
which is often used for this purpose,
whenever good growth has been Sc
cured and you are ready to do the plow-
ing. then is usually good time 10 COM
mence. Any time before the plant has
fully ma.ured is preferable to any time
after. IL is not always convenient to
wait until the plants are in the full
blossom, bat the nearer this can be
done the better will be the result se-
cure. Aud there should be no Gues-
tiOn but that 50 far as possible we
should try to secure the largest amount
Of benefit possible from every crop,
whether grown 10 be plowed under as
4 green manure, TO feed to the stock or
TO sell ia market.
In plowing care should be taken 10
plow und9r as completely as possible,
covering with soil. Often a good chain
fastened TO the plow will aid material
ly In doing this. Lime applied ON
clover before il Is plowed under will De
beneficial, adding considerably 10 its
value rs fertilizer.
Buckwheat, II sown after whcat or
pats on rea+onably well prepared
ground so that good growth ca1 be
secured, and .hen plowed under when
The larger proportion Of tho plants are
In full blossom, Is next IN value 20
clover TO use as green manure. and
san often be used very profitably for
his purpose. Rye can be sown in the
Iall and allowed 10 make a good
growth in the spring before plowing
inder for corn. Corn or oats can be
,own at any time that the work can be
lone. But II possible plan ahead. so
hat the crops can be plowed under,
when In a condition to give the largest
mount OF benefit TO the soil. Let thu
'rop be what II may, we want TO make
I an object 10 secure II whom Il con-
aims the largest amount OF plant food,
md can be the most readily wo.'kod
nto the soil. Cor. Farm, Fieid agd
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